Getting a better look at Xerxes

Frank Miller dished out awhile back that not only would he make a prequel to 300 entitled Xerxes in comic form but it would also be translated onto the big screen. The entire story line and art work has been under wraps for awhile, but now Miller finally gives us a peek.

Xerxes is supposedly slated for a 2011 release, with Zack Snyder on board to direct, but if they’re taking their precious time with development it’ll be awhile until we see the big screen translation of this tale. Continue reading on to see what Miller tells us about Xerxes from the LA Times, along with cover art for the upcoming comic.:

Miller said his “Xerxes” will be a six-part tale with each installment released in individual comic book issues beginning next year.

“The story will be the same heft as ’300′ but it cover a much, much greater span of time — it’s 10 years, not three days,” Miller said. ”This is a more complex story. The story is so much larger. The Spartans in ’300′ were being enclosed by the page as the world got smaller. This story has truly vast subjects. The Athenian naval fleet, for instance, is a massive artistic undertaking and it dwarfed by the Persian fleet, which is also shown in this story. The story has elements of espionage, too, and it’s a sweeping tale with gods and warriors.”

“The time frame begins 10 years before ’300′ and the story starts with the Battle of Marathon, which was killer to draw, by the way, even if it was a lot of work,” Miller said. “The lead character isThemistocles, who became warlord of Greece and built their navy. The story is very different than ’300′ in that it involves Xerxes search for godhood. The existence of gods are presupposed in this story and the idea is that he well on his way to godhood by the end of the story.”

Miller added: “With Themistocles I have a character who is almost the dead opposite of Leonidas in that Themistocles was a lying, conniving, brilliant, heroic figure. He was nicknamed ‘The Subtle Serpent’ and he always manages to do the exact right things that will result in him benefiting greatly.”